To what extent has social media affected the focus in sports.

Abstract
This document will explore the relationship between social media and its negative and positive
impact to sportsmen in sports, particularly in the sport rugby.

It will discuss the issues related to social media increasing bad performance which further relates to
mental health, that can affect players life outside sport. It highlights how being a sportsman and
being involved with social media can have a severe impact on their performance and outcome if they
use social media in the wrong way. In addition this document will discuss the ties between social
media and correlations between the strength in friendship within the team. As a result this could
provide a worse morale and will make working together a harder experience. Although this
document will focus on the negative impacts of social media, there are some positive impacts to not
only sportsmen but overall team effort which can result in social, economic, environmental benefits.
Social media can support young sportsmen through their journey, teaching them new things which
will increase their motif to become successful within their sport. The document concludes by
discussing measures to regulate social media use and promote responsible usage among young
people. It suggests that social media platforms should provide more resources and tools to help
young people manage their usage and promote healthy habits.

Introduction
Social media has become an essential part of our daily lives. It has revolutionized forever how we
interact with each other, learn, share information and conduct our daily businesses. However the rise
of social media has led to several negative impacts of the youth population that correlates with
sports. Growing up with both social media and sports, there should be a clear balance as wrong
usage can severely affect mental state and will eventually worsen hobbies such as sports.

I partially agree with my title as I believe that social media provides both positives and negatives such
as both affecting mental health and also performance. However social media provides a sense of
community throughout different platforms and sports which allows for a better morale between
groups.

The youth population, who are the most active users of social media have become particularly
vulnerable to false information that can spread and result in lack of effort within daily habit and as a
result this has a massive impact on young sportsmen. Social media platforms have been linked to
poor sleep patterns, addiction and exacerbation of pre-existing mental health conditions. This further
relates to worsened performance in sports and this can spread from one player to another which has
a big impact on the overall team.

Social media links to young sportsmen

Social media refers to websites and applications that enable users to create, share, exchange
content, and participate in social networking. The use of social media has increased rapidly, with
billions of active users worldwide. Social media platforms provide an avenue for individuals to
connect with others and share experiences. However, research has shown that there is a significant
link between social media use and worsened performance within young sportsmen.

Studies have shown that there are various ways in which social media can affect performance. The
reliance on social media and the craving for dopamine hits provide young people with a different
approach to being content. Following this, this results in sportsmen becoming lazier and not driving
to become better in their particular sport. Instead of practicing your rugby passing e.g., you would go
on snapchat. Instead of going for a walk you scroll on TikTok (Erica, The social media dilemma, 06
November 2021). This threating lifestyle of always looking for an easier alternative to putting in
effort, results in sportsmen looking for a way to avoid practicing skills and rather taking another hit of
false dopamine for social media. This affects the routine established and further leads to reduced
sleep, addiction to social media, less interaction with friends and team mates. Moreover that can
lead to lesser focus in sports and worsen performance.

Another way in which social media affects performance and players mental health is through social
comparison., which involves individuals comparing their own lives as a whole, to those that portray
on social media, which often highlights the best moments in their life. This links to sportsmen and
sports as many successful individuals would post their best clips and where they looked perfect,
without showing the times where they may have been some mistakes. This has a negative impact on
youth sportsmen as seeing their “idols” as being perfect in every highlight can result in false
clarification and this leads to bad performances in game as all they think about is the mistakes their
making. Social comparison has linked to depressive symptoms and anxiety which alters their focus in
their sport, as it can lead to feelings of inadequacy and underperformance (Fardouly, Dierichs,
Vartian, & Halliwell, 2015). The constant exposure to idealised images and lifestyles on social media
can lead to unrealistic expectations, which can be detrimental to ones mental health but overall on
their performance as being a sportsman.

Social media usage and its links to mental health

Social media has become an essential part of young people's lives, with 91% of teenagers using it as
a means of communication and entertainment (Lenhart, 2015). However, recent studies have shown
that excessive social media usage is linked to several mental health issues, including depression,
anxiety, and low self-esteem. This leads onto there being a gap in how much a sportsman is able to
practice at their sport. As a result this can worsen performance and also overall confidence within
training and matches.

A study conducted by the Royal Society for Public Health (Cramer, Inkster, 2017) found that social
media is more addictive than cigarettes and alcohol, with young people spending an average of 3
hours per day using social media platforms. This excessive usage has been linked to a rise in mental
health issues in young people. As more teenagers are able to access the internet and become more
active of social media platforms this increases their screen time. However social media is not only
available on phones but widely across a range of devices which most teenagers can easily access.
With devices being in reach and take only seconds to start scrolling or texting, this can delay
teenagers who should be practicing of focusing on their sport. Due to social media being one of the
most addictive dopamine hits, it results in many young people wanting to spend more time watching
videos and this means their main focus on sports is being altered away to social media platforms.

Anxiety is another mental health issue that is linked to social media usage. A study by the Pew
Research Centre (Anderson, M., Jiang, J., 2018) found that 71% of teenagers feel the need to respond
to messages instantly, leading to constant anxiety and stress. Social media also creates a platform for
cyberbullying, which can lead to anxiety and other mental health issues. The more time young
sportsmen are found on social media the more vulnerable they are to nasty comments or false
information about them or their sport which results in them losing interest of their sport and overall
making them not want to continue with doing their sport. Low self-esteem is also linked to social
media usage, with young people constantly comparing themselves to others on social media
platforms. A study by the Child Mind Institute (Alexander, K.) found that social media usage is linked
to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem in young people. Many of the youth find that having
low self-esteem results in less motivation to complete daily tasks or feeling that they have
underperformed in practice or games.

Specific ways social media has affected the focus in sports

One specific way that social media affects focus in sports is through the potential for athletes to be
influenced by external opinions and criticisms. Constant exposure to comments, both positive and
negative, on platforms like Twitter or Instagram can impact an athlete's mindset, as a result athletes
may not want to participate in competitions due to the accessibility of outside judging. This external
feedback may lead to increased pressure, affecting their confidence and focus on performance.
Athletes may find it challenging to maintain a singular focus on their training and team goals when
they are frequently exposed to the opinions of a broad online audience. Managing the mental
aspects of social media interactions becomes crucial to maintaining optimal performance in the
realm of sports. This especially affects young sportsmen as some may be more sensitive or
vulnerable to comments made about them. This will not only increase social anxiety which leads to
bad performance or not even showing up, but also it will also let the team down if the sportsman is
being withheld within a team.

Another way that social media affects focus in sports is that social media's real-time nature can
contribute to a heightened sense of immediacy and distraction for athletes. The constant stream of
updates, notifications, and trends can create a challenge for athletes trying to maintain
concentration during training sessions or competitions. The need to stay connected on social media
may divert attention away from crucial moments in sports, impacting an athlete's ability to fully
engage in the present and maintain the required focus on their performance. Managing the balance
between staying connected online and being fully present in the sporting moment becomes a crucial
aspect of handling the impact of social media on focus in sports.

Another effect of social media on focus in sports is the potential for athletes to become preoccupied
with managing their online persona. The pressure to curate a positive image, respond to comments,
and engage with fans can consume valuable time and mental energy. This focus on personal branding
through social media may divert attention from crucial aspects of training and preparation. Striking a
balance between maintaining a compelling online presence and dedicating sufficient focus to athletic
performance becomes a challenging aspect for athletes navigating the impact of social media. Due to
social media being able to hide stuff that happens behind the scenes, lots of entrepreneurs fake
many videos and allow to idealise the perfect “body” or “performance”.

Social media positive impacts in sports

While social media can present challenges, it also brings positive impacts to focus in sports. One way
is the ability for athletes to use platforms as motivational tools. Sharing training progress,
achievements, and personal stories can create a support network, fostering a sense of accountability
and encouragement. This positive feedback loop can enhance an athlete's focus and determination,
ultimately contributing to improved performance. This also leads onto the positive multiply effect;
where one benefit will continue providing down the line. For example, new information or tips are
spread to someone, this could lead to them improving their daily lives or how they live and as a
result improving mental health. Through this man young sportsmen can learn how to be disciplined
in the way that they are able to still practice and play their sport even through tough times. This can
boost energy levels and help maintain a fit body but also mental health.

A positive impact of social media in sports is its role in athlete empowerment through direct
communication with fans. Athletes can use platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube to share
their training routines, insights, and personal journeys. This direct interaction fosters a sense of
connection with fans, creating a supportive community. This positive feedback loop can boost an
athlete's morale, motivation, and focus as they feel the encouragement and support from their
online audience. This unique engagement on social media platforms contributes to a more positive
and focused mindset for athletes. Young athletes are able to look up and can connect with their role
models which pushes them to succeed and reach their goals. Furthermore, social media can be used
as a tool to raise awareness and reduce stigma surrounding mental health issues. Young people may
feel more comfortable discussing their mental health struggles online, where they can connect with
others in a safe and supportive environment. Additionally, social media campaigns have been
developed to raise awareness on mental health issues, such as the ‘Mind’ campaign in the UK, which
aims to get people talking and increase awareness surrounding mental health. Therefore this will
have a lower impact on how they interact with their teammates and also boost their confidence on
and off the pitch.

Measures to Regulate and Promote Responsible Use of Social Media

Studies have found that social media use has increased mental health issues among young people.
This has led to a growing concern about the impact of social media on the participation in sports in
the youth population.

Various studies have established a correlation between social media use and mental health issues
among young people. For instance, a study (Twenge et al. 2018) found that social media use was
positively associated with depression and anxiety symptoms among adolescents. The link between
social media and depression has links to fitness levels and sports as many young sportsmen aren’t
able to keep up with the work rate they have to face, however also they do not have the motivation
or willingness for participation in sports that can decrease fitness levels.

There are several measures that can be taken to regulate social media use among young people. One
such measure is to limit the amount of time spent on social media (Ben-Joseph, 2022). Parents and
schools can encourage young people to engage in other activities such as reading, or spending time
with friends and family. Having a break from sports/fitness can help with other extra-curricular
activities, whilst keeping them actively thinking and completing tasks. This can help reduce the
negative impact of social media on the focus in sports . Another measure is to monitor social media
use. Parents and teachers can monitor the online activities of young people and intervene when
necessary (Caring for kids, 2018). They can also provide guidance on responsible social media use
and highlight the potential risks associated with social media use. Cyberbullying is very prominent as
the internet and social media is widely accessible which means that other people can use sensitive
information that will impact another person’s mental focus and performance in sports. This can lead
to them quitting their sports.

To conclude, measures can be taken to regulate social media use and promote responsible usage
among young people. These measures include limiting the amount of time spent on social media,
monitoring social media use, and promoting responsible social media use. By taking these measures,
we can help young people use social media in a safe and healthy manner. Therefore young
sportsmen can enjoy their time playing sports and controlled fitness.

Personal summary.
From my researching of this extensive topic and some of my personal experiences, I have concluded
that social media has played a large role in decreasing the focus in sports which leads to less
participation at a young age; especially now in a day and age where people are becoming aware of
the symptoms of addiction to social media and the effect of it and how it can lead to how they are
able to play their sports.

However, despite this it is impossible to ignore the fact that we are now in a time where we are
completely surrounded by technology which only takes a click to get onto the internet. Social media
gives communities and fans a connection to sports and allows them to have real-life timings of
what’s going on in professional sports. This strengthens relationships and makes everyone able to
connect and contact with people, stabilizing foundations and mental health. As a result the increase
of some sports is evident where many people are beginning to become more involved with not only
sports but also fitness journeys. Our generation is the first to experience this technology, yet in the
future young people would have grown up with and adapted to the technology around them,
allowing them to learn how to responsibly and moderately use social media in ways which would not
impact their enjoyment in sports and fitness. As myself being in this generation, both being a
sportsman and surrounded by technology it is key to see that there is an impact to the way I see
entrepreneurs displaying their highlights versus the truth. Furthermore social media provides
connection with my teammates which solidifies our bonds and results in better performance and
boosts confidence.

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